Steamboat Springs Plein Air

 

This fall, I drove to Steamboat Springs with wildfires raging to the north and smoldering to the south.  Questions swirled.  Would we have decent visibility?  Would we be detoured on the return trip?  Last year was cold, snowy, and rainy.  What would this year bring?  Well, we were lucky.  Most days, the smoke drifted off to the northeast, out of the valley.  The days were warm and sunny and once again, the Steamboat Art Museum staff chose outstanding locations.  Being able to paint on private ranches in secluded groves of trees, looking out on scenic vistas, and surrounded by fall beauty is a breath of inspiration.

My favorite painting, aspen etude (above), was painted from the deck of our condo.  I was able to work on the painting in the afternoons when the warm light lit up the twists and turns of the tree.

Here are the other paintings that I turned in for the show.

 

 

 

Each one presented challenges and learning opportunities.  Hopefully I’ll be able to return again next year.